What should I expect at my doctor's appointment?!
Question: To give a bit of background, I am a queer 20-year-old woman currently involved in a serious relationship. Tomorrow I'm headed to my yearly physical and I just KNOW my doc (who is great) is going to ask me if I'm sexually active, which I am. I still go to a pediatrician - not motivated enough to change yet - and was wondering what sort of reaction that's going to merit. This is my first sexual relationship and it is with someone of the same gender. I've done my research on safe sex, risks, etc., and we're both clean.
My main questions are: am I going to have to deal with some sort of gynecological exam if I tell her I am sexually active? Can I opt out of that somehow? Since I'm still going to a pediatrician, can she tell my parents (they know I'm gay, but they're just about coping with me having a girlfriend; me having sex would blow their minds)? If she can, is there a good way to ask her not to?
I'm new to this when it comes to my doctor, so thanks in advance. Advice appreciate!
Answers: To give a bit of background, I am a queer 20-year-old woman currently involved in a serious relationship. Tomorrow I'm headed to my yearly physical and I just KNOW my doc (who is great) is going to ask me if I'm sexually active, which I am. I still go to a pediatrician - not motivated enough to change yet - and was wondering what sort of reaction that's going to merit. This is my first sexual relationship and it is with someone of the same gender. I've done my research on safe sex, risks, etc., and we're both clean.
My main questions are: am I going to have to deal with some sort of gynecological exam if I tell her I am sexually active? Can I opt out of that somehow? Since I'm still going to a pediatrician, can she tell my parents (they know I'm gay, but they're just about coping with me having a girlfriend; me having sex would blow their minds)? If she can, is there a good way to ask her not to?
I'm new to this when it comes to my doctor, so thanks in advance. Advice appreciate!
Well your pediatrician cannot give you a gyno exam. like they just dont handle that. But as you are over 18 you should be seeing one cuz there are things that can go wrong in that area that you can't get a good look at, which is why people have gynecologists in the first place.
also now that you are over 18 the pediatrician cant tell your parents anything. i mean before 18 there is the "patient doctor confidentiality thing", but that is kinda fake since you aren't legal yet but now that you are, they cant say anything.
and basically when the "sex drugs and rock n roll" questions come up, you just answer truthfully. they cant do much about it.
and by the way, yay for you and ur girl!
you are old enough.. the dorcotrs office can not give out any info on you unless something is very very worng and they can not contact you
give a cell number, ask if they would email you, give your girl friends number, that way the office has many ways to contact you.
They can't force you to have a pelvic exam. They need your consent for that. I'm not sure if she could tell your parents, it depends on what state you live in (i think, I'm Australian i don't really know about the system there) but since you're over 18 it really isn't their concern anyway. I doubt she would speak to your parents unless you ask her to.
You need to see a gynecologist. The rule is usually that a female see the gyno when she turns 18 or when she becomes sexually active, whichever comes first. There are so many diseases out there that you can become susceptible to if you're not checked regularly. You cna your partner could both be at risk.
She cannot tell your parents because of doctor-patient privileges. She can only tell them if you happened to threaten you or someone else.
You should be having a yearly gyno exam whether or not you are sexually active.
You can always opt out of an exam. Your doctor may strongly suggest you have a pelvic exam but you can ALWAYS say "not thanks". I work for a doctor and this happens on a nearly daily basis.
You are over 18 so she is NOT allowed to tell your parents anything. You may want to check your HIPA forms (a list of names that can access your medical records) and take your parents off the list.
Be honest with her. Tell her that you would like this visit to be confidential. She has to respect that. Even if she doesn't like the choices you make, she has to respect your wishes.
Where I work we have several patients that are lesbians. We do still encourage them to have yearly pap smears and pelvic exams. It's just good to have this done for your overall health.
If you're making an appointment with a gynecologist, just tell your current doctor that. She might insist that it would be a good idea, but she's not likely to insist on doing it herself. There's not even a guarantee that your current doctor does pelvic exams; if not, she might offer you a referral instead anyway.